The Basile home at 88 Coles Avenue. As the commi ttee drove around Amityville looking at the decorated homes, they sighed, oohed and aahed, they said. "Homes were decorated with tiny white lights, tiny colored lightings and larger lights and spotlights— all providing an array of holiday feelings. Deer pranced on lawns, horses drew carriages, angels blew trumpets, and créches were encircled by Mary and Joseph and the Three Wise Men. There were snowmen and Santas, as well as snow globes, and even Mother Nature did her part, sending down a white blanket of snow to create the most beautiful of winter holiday scenes.

The committee, which consisted of Sue Martinson, Janet King and Pat and Stu Hilbert, found it difficult to make its choices, but in the end agreed. This year's Holiday Home Decorating contest winners were: Daytime decorations: Ellen and Bob Appold of 14 Bayview Pl., first place and Larry Basile, 88 Coles Ave., 2nd place. The home at 22 Chichester Ave., was selected as best decorations, night, and 350 Grand Central was 2nd place.

Larry Basile said that decorating his home became a tradition 13 years ago after his son was born on Christmas Eve. "We've done it ever since and even my other son, who lives on the North Shore, has taken up the family tradition of decorating his house," said Basile. "I work six days a week, so it takes me awhile, but I enjoy doing it every year."

"In our visiting the Village, our trip took us through the business area and we decided that three businesses, in particular, deserved mention for their decorations," said Martinson. Self Image won for the best daytime decorations; Johnson's Florist and Tom Sawyer's Barber Shop won for best decorated business nighttime category.